How to Use Fill Handle in Excel (With Shortcuts & AutoFill Tips)

The Excel Fill Handle is a small but powerful tool that can save you hours of manual work. Whether you want to copy values, extend a pattern, or create custom lists, this guide will show you how to master it step by step.

What is the Fill Handle in Excel?

The Fill Handle is a small square located at the bottom-right corner of a selected cell in Excel. When you hover over it, your cursor turns into a small black plus sign (+). This simple-looking tool can perform powerful tasks like:

• Copying cell values across a range
• Automatically filling in patterns such as days, months, or numbers
• Repeating or extending series without typing each entry manually

This feature is part of Excel’s AutoFill system and is incredibly useful for speeding up repetitive tasks in your spreadsheets.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use the Fill Handle to copy values, create series, apply shortcuts, and even build your own custom lists in Excel. Plus, we’ll share pro tips to help you master AutoFill like a pro.

Copy Cell Values Using the Fill Handle Tool

If you need to enter the same value into multiple cells, Excel’s Fill Handle makes it super easy.

Here’s a scenario:
Assume that a data table requires entering the same content in every cell in the second column. Instead of typing it repeatedly, you can use the AutoFill Handle to copy the value quickly.

See screenshot:

Here’s how to do it:

1. Type the value into the first cell of the row or column.
2. Select the cell by clicking on it.
3. Move your mouse to the bottom-right corner of the selected cell — a small square will appear (this is the Fill Handle).
4. When the cursor turns into a black plus sign (+), click and drag:
   • Drag downwards to fill a column
   • Drag rightwards to fill a row
5. As you drag, Excel will display a tooltip showing the value it is copying to each cell.

Once you release the mouse button, all selected cells will be filled with the same content.

See screenshot:

💡 Tip: If you drag the fill handle inside the selection, it will clear the existing values instead of filling.

Excel Fill Handle Shortcuts (Double-click, Ctrl+D, Ctrl+R)

Besides dragging the fill handle, Excel offers two other quick ways to copy values: one using the mouse and the other using the keyboard.

First Shortcut: Double-Click the Fill Handle

Instead of dragging, you can simply double-click the fill handle. Excel will automatically copy the cell’s content down the column, stopping when it encounters a blank row in the adjacent column.

⚠️ Note: This shortcut only works downward, and it stops when Excel detects an empty row beside the column you’re filling.

Second Shortcut: Use the Keyboard (Ctrl+D or Ctrl+R)

Here’s how to copy values using the keyboard:

1. Enter the value in the first cell.
2. With the cell still active, press:
   • Shift + Down Arrow (to select the range vertically)
   • Or Shift + Right Arrow (to select the range horizontally)
3. Once the range is selected, press:
   • Ctrl + D to fill down
   • Ctrl + R to fill right

This method is quick and especially useful when you prefer not to use the mouse.

See the video below for more clarity:

Using the Fill Handle to Create Series (Dates, Days, Numbers)

Here’s a scenario:
You’re working on a data table that requires you to enter the 12-month names across the first row. Instead of typing each one manually, you can use the AutoFill feature to complete the series in seconds.

📌 This works not only for months but also for days of the week, numbers, or other repeating patterns.

How to Fill a Series:

1. Enter a few values in a row or column to start the series.
   • (For example: type “January” in the first cell, and “February” in the next one.)
2. Select the cells you’ve filled.
3. Move your mouse to the bottom-right corner of the selection until the plus sign (+) appears.
4. Click and drag:
   • Downwards to fill a column
   • Rightwards to fill a row
5. As you drag, a tooltip will appear, showing the values being generated.
6. Release the mouse button, and Excel will automatically continue the pattern for you.

This technique can save you time whenever you’re working with predictable data entries like days, months, or number sequences.

AutoFill Bonus Tips

Excel’s AutoFill feature does more than just copy or continue basic values — here are some powerful tips to help you do more with it:

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💡 Bonus Tip 1: Hold Ctrl to Repeat a List Instead of Creating a Pattern

After filling in at least two or three cells, you can hold down the Ctrl key while dragging the Fill Handle.
This tells Excel to copy the list repeatedly instead of trying to detect a pattern or sequence.

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💡 Bonus Tip 2: Built-in AutoFill Series Examples

Excel recognizes many common patterns automatically. Some examples include:

• Qtr 1 → Qtr 2, Qtr 3, Qtr 4, …
• MON → TUE, WED, THU, …
• JAN → FEB, MAR, APR, …
• Day 10 → Day 11, Day 12, …
• 1st year → 2nd year, 3rd year, …

Just type the first value (or first two if needed), then drag the Fill Handle.

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💡 Bonus Tip 3: Fill a Series of Odd Numbers

To generate odd numbers:

1. Enter 1 in the first cell.
2. Enter 3 in the next cell.
3. Select both cells (e.g., B1:B2).
4. Drag the Fill Handle down — Excel will continue the pattern: 5, 7, 9, etc.

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💡 Bonus Tip 4: Fill Only Weekdays (Skip Weekends)

If you’re entering dates and want to skip weekends:

1. Type a date (e.g., 1/1/2024) into a cell.
2. Right-click and drag the Fill Handle down several cells.
3. When you release the mouse, a small menu will appear.
4. Choose “Fill Weekdays” — Excel will enter only Monday to Friday dates, skipping weekends.

Creating Your Own AutoFill Lists (Custom List)

Excel comes with a collection of built-in lists (like months and weekdays) that it uses with the AutoFill feature. But did you know you can add your own custom lists too?

Let’s say you regularly type a list of items — for example, color names your company uses frequently. Instead of typing them over and over, you can create a custom AutoFill list to reuse them easily.

How to Create a Custom AutoFill List:

1. Click File > Options to open the Excel Options window.
2. In the left menu, select Advanced.
3. Scroll down to the General section.
4. Click on the “Edit Custom Lists…” button.
5. Under Custom lists, select New List.
6. In the List entries box, type your items separated by commas
   (e.g., Red, Blue, Green, Yellow).
7. Click Add to save your list.
8. Click OK to close both dialog boxes.

Now, when you type any item from your list and drag the Fill Handle, Excel will complete the list automatically.

Conclusion

The Excel Fill Handle is a simple yet powerful tool that can save you time and effort when entering or copying data. Whether you’re repeating values, generating a sequence, or using custom lists, the AutoFill feature helps speed up your workflow and reduce manual typing.

Now that you know how to use it—and some bonus tips too—go ahead and try it out in your own spreadsheet. With just a few clicks or shortcuts, you’ll be working faster and smarter in Excel.